Fields of Honor: The Golden Age of College Football and the Men who Created itThe Miracle in Miami began when a small group of men returned to Ohio after World War II. Some were old enough to coach football; others were young enough to play, going to school on the GI Bill. There, in a tiny community at Miami University of Ohio, the men, the character, and the modern game of football were created. Sid Gillman coached Woody Hayes, who coached Ara Parseghian, coached John Pont, coached Bo Schembechler, coached Bill Mallory. This is the story of the big, brawling familyof men who formed college football. Written by John Pont's niece, their interconnections, affections and rivalries, their innovations, and their weaknesses are all beautifully portrayed, combining football history and strategy with family stories. Watching the Superbowl and focusing on the million-dollar ads, we yearn for the bravery and the loneliness of the original players. Come back to a time when the helmets had no face guards, when the men played without padding, and when strategy and sportsmanship ruled the gridiron. |
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Ara Parseghian Army assistant coach athletic director ball Bear Bryant Biff Jones Big Ten Bill Mallory Blaik Bo Schembechler Bowl game Bowling Green brother Canton career Carm Cozza Chargers Chinese Bandits Cincinnati coach at Miami Dame Dame's defeated defense Dick Jauron Don Nehlen Dowling Doyt Perry earned fans father field goal football coach football players Gator Bowl Gonso Harvard head coaching position Heisman high school Hostetler Indiana Ivy League John Pont kids knew locker room loss Mallory's matchup Miami of Ohio Michigan Mike moved national championship never Northwestern offense pass Paul Brown Paul Dietzel Penn played football Pont's punt Purdue quarter quarterback record recruiting retired Rose Bowl running back Schem Schembechler's score season Shemy Sid Gillman stadium staff Steve success tackle took touchdown undefeated University victory watch West Virginia Woody Hayes Woody Hayes's Yale yards